U.S. patent application number 13/274892 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-18 for apparatus and method for performing precognitive lawful intercept in group calls.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALCOMM INCORPORATED. The applicant listed for this patent is Kirankumar Anchan. Invention is credited to Kirankumar Anchan.
Application Number | 20130094638 13/274892 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47178900 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130094638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anchan; Kirankumar |
April 18, 2013 |
Apparatus and Method For Performing Precognitive Lawful Intercept
In Group Calls
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing lawful intercept in a
group call is described. A group call for is established and at
least one target member device of the group call is identified as
corresponding to a subject to be tracked. Call content for
communications corresponding to the call is then tracked from the
beginning of the call. A query is presented to a law enforcement
authority to determine whether the law enforcement authority wishes
to receive call data collected before the target joined the call or
after the target leaves the call.
Inventors: |
Anchan; Kirankumar; (San
Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Anchan; Kirankumar |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
47178900 |
Appl. No.: |
13/274892 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/88.19 ;
379/158; 379/88.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2203/2044 20130101;
H04M 3/2281 20130101; H04W 12/007 20190101; H04L 63/306
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/88.19 ;
379/158; 379/88.22 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/658 20060101
H04M001/658; H04M 3/16 20060101 H04M003/16 |
Claims
1. A method of reporting call information in a group communication
call, comprising: establishing a group communication call for a
call group having a plurality of member devices; identifying at
least one target member device of the plurality of member devices
as corresponding to a subject to be tracked; storing, starting from
the beginning of the group communication call, call content for
communications corresponding to the group call; determining that
the at least one target member device has joined the group call;
forwarding at least one query, based on the at least one target
member device joining the call, to determine if a law enforcement
agency desires information relating to the group call obtained
before the at least one target member device joined the call or
after the at least one target member device has left the call;
receiving a response to the at least one query; and managing the
stored call content based on the response.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the call content comprises one or
more of call signaling, voice content, and media content.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the managing comprises
transmitting, to the law enforcement authority, the call content
stored prior to the at least one target member device joining the
group call or after the at least one target member device has left
the group call when the response indicates the information is
desired.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the managing comprises deleting
the call signaling and the voice content stored prior to the at
least one target member device joining the call and discontinuing
the storing.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering, based on
the at least one target member device joining the call, group call
information relating to one or more member devices in the call
group.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the group call information
includes one or more of identification of a member device or a
corresponding user corresponding to the call group, floor
arbitration information, identification of which member device is
talking, identification of a member device that joined the call,
identification of a member device that left the call, voice
packets.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one query comprises
a first query to determine if the law enforcement authority desires
information relating to the group call obtained before the at least
one target member device joined the call and a second query to
determine if the law enforcement authority desires after
information relating to the group call obtained after the at least
one target member device has left the call, the method further
comprising: determining that the at least one target member device
has left the call; forwarding the second query, based on the at
least one target member device leaving the call.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting non-group
communication call information collected from the at least one
target member device to the call intercept component.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the non-group communication call
information comprises data call information different from the call
signaling and the voice content for communications corresponding to
the call.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the non-group communication call
information comprises data related to one or more applications
accessed on the target member device after joining the group
communication call.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, to the
law enforcement authority, the call content stored subsequent to
the at least one target member device joining the call.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising deleting the call
content for communications corresponding to the call upon
completion of the call.
13. A network apparatus for reporting call information in a group
communication call, comprising: a group communication setup
component configured to establish a group communication call for a
call group having a plurality of member devices; and a call
intercept component configured to: identify at least one target
member device of the plurality of member devices as corresponding
to a subject to be tracked; store, starting from the beginning of
the group communication call, call content for communications
corresponding to the call; determine that the at least one target
member device has joined the group call; forward a query, based on
the at least one target member device joining the call, to
determine if a law enforcement agency desires information relating
to the group call obtained before the at least one target member
device joined the group call or after the at least one target
member device has left the group call; receive a response to the
query; and manage the stored call content based on the
response.
14. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the call content
comprises one or more of call signaling, voice content, and media
content.
15. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the managing
comprises transmitting, to the law enforcement authority, the call
content stored prior to the at least one target member device
joining the group call or after the at least one target member
device has left the group call when the response indicates the
information is desired.
16. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the managing
comprises deleting the call signaling and the voice content stored
prior to the at least one target member device joining the call and
discontinuing the storing.
17. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the call intercept
component is further configured to deliver, based on the at least
one target member joining the call, group call information relating
to one or more member devices in the group call.
18. The network apparatus of claim 17, wherein the group call
information includes one or more of identification of a member
device or a corresponding user corresponding to the call group,
floor arbitration information, identification of which member
device is talking, identification of a member device that joined
the call, identification of a member device that left the call,
voice packets.
19. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one
query comprises a first query to determine if the law enforcement
authority desires information relating to the group call obtained
before the at least one target member device joined the call and a
second query to determine if the law enforcement authority desires
after information relating to the group call obtained after the at
least one target member device has left the call, and wherein the
call intercept component is further configured to: determine that
the at least one target member device has left the call; and
forward the second query, based on the at least one target member
device leaving the call.
20. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the call intercept
component is further configured to transmit non-group communication
call information collected from the at least one target member
device to the call intercept component.
21. The network apparatus of claim 20, wherein the non-group
communication call information comprises data call information
different from the call signaling and the voice content for
communications corresponding to the call.
22. The network apparatus of claim 20, wherein the non-group
communication call information comprises data related to one or
more applications accessed on the target member device after
joining the group communication call.
23. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the call intercept
component is further configured to transmit, to the law enforcement
authority, the call content stored subsequent to the at least one
target member device joining the call.
24. The network apparatus of claim 13, wherein the call intercept
component is further configured to delete the call content for
communications corresponding to the call upon completion of the
call.
25. At least one processor configured to report call information in
a group communication call, comprising: a first module for
establishing a group communication call for a call group having a
plurality of member devices; a second module for identifying at
least one target member device of the plurality of member devices
as corresponding to a subject to be tracked; a third module for
storing, starting from the beginning of the group communication
call, call content for communications corresponding to the group
call; a fourth module for determining that the at least one target
member device has joined the group call; a fifth module for
forwarding at least one query, based on the at least one target
member device joining the call, to determine if a law enforcement
agency desires information relating to the group call obtained
before the at least one target member device joined the call or
after the at least one target member device has left the call; a
sixth module for receiving a response to the at least one query;
and a seventh module for managing the stored call content based on
the response.
26. A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable
medium comprising: a first set of codes for causing a computer to
establish a group communication call for a call group having a
plurality of member devices; a second set of codes for causing the
computer to identify at least one target member device of the
plurality of member devices as corresponding to a subject to be
tracked; a third set of codes for causing the computer to store,
starting from the beginning of the group communication call, call
content for communications corresponding to the group call; a
fourth set of codes for causing the computer to determine that the
at least one target member device has joined the group call; a
fifth set of codes for causing the computer to forward at least one
query, based on the at least one target member device joining the
call, to determine if a law enforcement agency desires information
relating to the group call obtained before the at least one target
member device joined the call or after the at least one target
member device has left the call; a sixth set of codes for causing
the computer to receive a response to the at least one query; and a
seventh set of codes for causing the computer to manage the stored
call content based on the response.
27. An apparatus, comprising: means for establishing a group
communication call for a call group having a plurality of member
devices; means for identifying at least one target member device of
the plurality of member devices as corresponding to a subject to be
tracked; means for storing, starting from the beginning of the
group communication call, call content for communications
corresponding to the group call; means for determining that the at
least one target member device has joined the group call; means for
forwarding at least one query, based on the at least one target
member device joining the call, to determine if a law enforcement
agency desires information relating to the group call obtained
before the at least one target member device joined the call or
after the at least one target member device has left the call;
means for receiving a response to the at least one query; and means
for managing the stored call content based on the response.
28. A method for reporting call information in a group
communication call, comprising: establishing a group communication
call for a call group having a plurality of member devices;
determining, based on call history, that a target device is likely
to join the group communication call, wherein the target device is
not a member of the call group; determining to store call content
for communication corresponding to the group call, based in part on
the determination that the target device is likely to join the
group communication call; storing, starting from the beginning of
the group communication call, call content for communications
corresponding to the group call; determining that the target device
has joined the group call; forwarding at least one query, based on
the target device joining the call, to determine if a law
enforcement agency desires information relating to the group call
obtained before the target device joined the call or after the
target member device has left the call; receiving a response to the
at least one query; and managing the stored call content based on
the response.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein determining that a target
device is likely to join the group communication call based on call
history comprises: determining that the target device has
previously communicated with at least one member of the call
group.
30. The method of claim 28, further comprising: determining a
priority level associated with the target device, wherein
determining to store call content for communication corresponding
to the group call comprises determining to store call content based
on the priority level.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the target has a high priority
level, and wherein determining to store call content for
communication corresponding to the group call comprises determining
whether the target device has previously communicated with a known
associate of a least one member of the call group.
32. The method of claim 28, wherein determining that the at least
one target device has joined the group call comprises determining
that the target devices has acknowledged the group call but a
communication channel has not been established.
33. An apparatus for reporting call information in a group
communications call, comprising: a group communication setup
component configured to establish a call group having a plurality
member devices; and a call intercept component configured to:
determine, based on call history, that a target device is likely to
join the group communication call, wherein the target device is not
a member of the call group; determine to store call content for
communication corresponding to the group call, based in part on the
determination that the target device is likely to join the group
communication call; store, starting from the beginning of the group
communication call, call content for communications corresponding
to the group call; determine that the target device has joined the
group call; forward at least one query, based on the target device
joining the call, to determine if a law enforcement agency desires
information relating to the group call obtained before the target
device joined the call or after the target member device has left
the call; receive a response to the at least one query; and manage
the stored call content based on the response.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein call intercept component is
further configured to determine that the target device has
previously communicated with at least one member of the call
group.
35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the call intercept component
is further configured to determine a priority level associated with
the target device, and to store to store call content based on the
priority level.
36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the target has a high
priority level, and wherein determining to store call content for
communication corresponding to the group call comprises determining
whether the target device has previously communicated with a known
associate of a least one member of the call group.
37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein determining that the at
least one target device has joined the group call comprises
determining that the target devices has acknowledged the group call
but a communication channel has not been established.
38. At least one processor configured to report call information in
a group communication call, comprising: a first module for
establishing a group communication call for a call group having a
plurality of member devices; a second module for determining, based
on call history, that a target device is likely to join the group
communication call, wherein the target device is not a member of
the call group; a third module for determining to store call
content for communication corresponding to the group call, based in
part on the determination that the target device is likely to join
the group communication call; a fourth module for storing, starting
from the beginning of the group communication call, call content
for communications corresponding to the group call; a fifth module
for determining that the target device has joined the group call; a
sixth module for forwarding at least one query, based on the target
device joining the call, to determine if a law enforcement agency
desires information relating to the group call obtained before the
target device joined the call or after the target member device has
left the call; a seventh module for receiving a response to the at
least one query; and an eighth module for managing the stored call
content based on the response.
39. A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable
medium comprising: a first set of codes for causing a computer to
establish a group communication call for a call group having a
plurality of member devices; a second set of codes for causing the
computer to determine, based on call history, that a target device
is likely to join the group communication call, wherein the target
device is not a member of the call group; a third set of codes for
causing the computer to determine to store call content for
communication corresponding to the group call, based in part on the
determination that the target device is likely to join the group
communication call; a fourth set of codes for causing the computer
to store, starting from the beginning of the group communication
call, call content for communications corresponding to the group
call; a fifth set of codes for causing the computer to determine
that the target device has joined the group call; a sixth set of
codes for causing the computer to forward at least one query, based
on the target device joining the call, to determine if a law
enforcement agency desires information relating to the group call
obtained before the target device joined the call or after the
target member device has left the call; a seventh set of codes for
causing the computer to receive a response to the at least one
query; and an eighth set of codes for causing the computer to
manage the stored call content based on the response.
40. An apparatus, comprising: means for establishing a group
communication call for a call group having a plurality of member
devices; means for determining, based on call history, that a
target device is likely to join the group communication call,
wherein the target device is not a member of the call group; means
for determining to store call content for communication
corresponding to the group call, based in part on the determination
that the target device is likely to join the group communication
call; means for storing, starting from the beginning of the group
communication call, call content for communications corresponding
to the group call; means for determining that the target device has
joined the group call; means for forwarding at least one query,
based on the target device joining the call, to determine if a law
enforcement agency desires information relating to the group call
obtained before the target device joined the call or after the
target member device has left the call; means for receiving a
response to the at least one query; and means for managing the
stored call content based on the response.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This application relates generally to lawful intercept, and
more particularly, to performing near-real-time monitoring and
reporting of intercepted communications in a group call
setting.
[0002] The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
(CALEA) is a United States wiretapping law to aid law enforcement
in its effort to conduct criminal investigations requiring
wiretapping of digital telephone networks. Existing implementations
of a CALEA system typically only handle one-to-one calls, and do
not work for group communications such as push-to-talk (PTT) and
VoIP communications. Moreover, existing implementations deliver
call signaling and call media (voice content) to the Law
Enforcement Authority (LEA) across different paths, which often
results in receiving this content at different times, making it
difficult or impossible to correlate. Further, the different
network components required for delivering the call signaling and
call media provide opportunities for such components to be bypassed
by custom VoIP solutions, as well as providing complications and
cost in scaling.
[0003] Additionally, some of the existing implementations rely of
out of band signaling, like SMS, to provide location information
corresponding to the call signaling and media. This out of band
signaling may be detected by the end user, which is not desirable.
Moreover, the use of best effort, out of band signaling (e.g SMS)
on a different physical layer than the PTT/VoIP signaling (e.g
1.times. vs DoRA) does not guarantee the delivery of the out of
band location information delivery. Further, the device user may be
able to shut it off the SMS or other location based service. Other
implementations rely on the Network (e.g RAN, Core Network) to
extract the location information for specific application services,
however, such functionality may not be universally available. Thus,
existing CALEA implementations have many drawbacks.
SUMMARY
[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more
aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects.
This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated
aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical
elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all
aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or
more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0005] In accordance with some aspects, a method of reporting call
information in a group communication call comprises establishing a
group communication call for a call group having a plurality of
member devices; identifying at least one target member device of
the plurality of member devices as corresponding to a subject to be
tracked; storing, starting from the beginning of the group
communication call, call content for communications corresponding
to the group call; determining that the at least one target member
device has joined the group call; forwarding at least one query,
based on the at least one target member device joining the call, to
determine if a law enforcement agency desires information relating
to the group call obtained before the at least one target member
device joined the call or after the at least one target member
device has left the call; receiving a response to the at least one
query; and managing the stored call content based on the
response.
[0006] In accordance with some aspects, a network apparatus for
reporting call information in a group communication call comprises
a group communication setup component configured to establish a
group communication call for a call group having a plurality of
member devices, and a call intercept component configured to
identify at least one target member device of the plurality of
member devices as corresponding to a subject to be tracked; store,
starting from the beginning of the group communication call, call
content for communications corresponding to the call; determine
that the at least one target member device has joined the group
call; forward a query, based on the at least one target member
device joining the call, to determine if a law enforcement agency
desires information relating to the group call obtained before the
at least one target member device joined the group call or after
the at least one target member device has left the group call;
receive a response to the query; and manage the stored call content
based on the response.
[0007] In accordance with some aspects, at least one processor
configured to report call information in a group communication call
comprises a first module for establishing a group communication
call for a call group having a plurality of member devices; a
second module for identifying at least one target member device of
the plurality of member devices as corresponding to a subject to be
tracked; a third module for storing, starting from the beginning of
the group communication call, call content for communications
corresponding to the group call; a fourth module for determining
that the at least one target member device has joined the group
call; a fifth module for forwarding at least one query, based on
the at least one target member device joining the call, to
determine if a law enforcement agency desires information relating
to the group call obtained before the at least one target member
device joined the call or after the at least one target member
device has left the call; a sixth module for receiving a response
to the at least one query; and a seventh module for managing the
stored call content based on the response.
[0008] In accordance with some aspects, a computer program product
comprises a computer-readable medium comprising a first set of
codes for causing a computer to establish a group communication
call for a call group having a plurality of member devices; a
second set of codes for causing the computer to identify at least
one target member device of the plurality of member devices as
corresponding to a subject to be tracked; a third set of codes for
causing the computer to store, starting from the beginning of the
group communication call, call content for communications
corresponding to the group call; a fourth set of codes for causing
the computer to determine that the at least one target member
device has joined the group call; a fifth set of codes for causing
the computer to forward at least one query, based on the at least
one target member device joining the call, to determine if a law
enforcement agency desires information relating to the group call
obtained before the at least one target member device joined the
call or after the at least one target member device has left the
call; a sixth set of codes for causing the computer to receive a
response to the at least one query; and a seventh set of codes for
causing the computer to manage the stored call content based on the
response.
[0009] In accordance with some aspects, an apparatus comprises
means for establishing a group communication call for a call group
having a plurality of member devices; means for identifying at
least one target member device of the plurality of member devices
as corresponding to a subject to be tracked; means for storing,
starting from the beginning of the group communication call, call
content for communications corresponding to the group call; means
for determining that the at least one target member device has
joined the group call; means for forwarding at least one query,
based on the at least one target member device joining the call, to
determine if a law enforcement agency desires information relating
to the group call obtained before the at least one target member
device joined the call or after the at least one target member
device has left the call; means for receiving a response to the at
least one query; and means for managing the stored call content
based on the response.
[0010] In accordance with some aspects, a method for reporting call
information in a group communication call comprises establishing a
group communication call for a call group having a plurality of
member devices; determining, based on call history, that a target
device is likely to join the group communication call, wherein the
target device is not a member of the call group; determining to
store call content for communication corresponding to the group
call, based in part on the determination that the target device is
likely to join the group communication call; storing, starting from
the beginning of the group communication call, call content for
communications corresponding to the group call; determining that
the target device has joined the group call; forwarding at least
one query, based on the target device joining the call, to
determine if a law enforcement agency desires information relating
to the group call obtained before the target device joined the call
or after the target member device has left the call; receiving a
response to the at least one query; and managing the stored call
content based on the response.
[0011] In accordance with some aspects, an apparatus for reporting
call information in a group communications call comprises a group
communication setup component configured to establish a call group
having a plurality member devices; and a call intercept component
configured to determine, based on call history, that a target
device is likely to join the group communication call, wherein the
target device is not a member of the call group; determine to store
call content for communication corresponding to the group call,
based in part on the determination that the target device is likely
to join the group communication call; store, starting from the
beginning of the group communication call, call content for
communications corresponding to the group call; determine that the
target device has joined the group call; forward at least one
query, based on the target device joining the call, to determine if
a law enforcement agency desires information relating to the group
call obtained before the target device joined the call or after the
target member device has left the call; receive a response to the
at least one query; and manage the stored call content based on the
response.
[0012] In accordance with some aspects, at least one processor
configured to report call information in a group communication call
comprises a first module for establishing a group communication
call for a call group having a plurality of member devices; a
second module for determining, based on call history, that a target
device is likely to join the group communication call, wherein the
target device is not a member of the call group; a third module for
determining to store call content for communication corresponding
to the group call, based in part on the determination that the
target device is likely to join the group communication call; a
fourth module for storing, starting from the beginning of the group
communication call, call content for communications corresponding
to the group call; a fifth module for determining that the target
device has joined the group call; a sixth module for forwarding at
least one query, based on the target device joining the call, to
determine if a law enforcement agency desires information relating
to the group call obtained before the target device joined the call
or after the target member device has left the call; a seventh
module for receiving a response to the at least one query; and an
eighth module for managing the stored call content based on the
response.
[0013] In accordance with some aspects, a computer program product
comprises a computer-readable medium comprising a first set of
codes for causing a computer to establish a group communication
call for a call group having a plurality of member devices; a
second set of codes for causing the computer to determine, based on
call history, that a target device is likely to join the group
communication call, wherein the target device is not a member of
the call group; a third set of codes for causing the computer to
determine to store call content for communication corresponding to
the group call, based in part on the determination that the target
device is likely to join the group communication call; a fourth set
of codes for causing the computer to store, starting from the
beginning of the group communication call, call content for
communications corresponding to the group call; a fifth set of
codes for causing the computer to determine that the target device
has joined the group call; a sixth set of codes for causing the
computer to forward at least one query, based on the target device
joining the call, to determine if a law enforcement agency desires
information relating to the group call obtained before the target
device joined the call or after the target member device has left
the call; a seventh set of codes for causing the computer to
receive a response to the at least one query; and an eighth set of
codes for causing the computer to manage the stored call content
based on the response.
[0014] In accordance with some aspects, an apparatus comprises
means for establishing a group communication call for a call group
having a plurality of member devices; means for determining, based
on call history, that a target device is likely to join the group
communication call, wherein the target device is not a member of
the call group; means for determining to store call content for
communication corresponding to the group call, based in part on the
determination that the target device is likely to join the group
communication call; means for storing, starting from the beginning
of the group communication call, call content for communications
corresponding to the group call; means for determining that the
target device has joined the group call; means for forwarding at
least one query, based on the target device joining the call, to
determine if a law enforcement agency desires information relating
to the group call obtained before the target device joined the call
or after the target member device has left the call; means for
receiving a response to the at least one query; and means for
managing the stored call content based on the response.
[0015] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features
are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which
the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this
description is intended to include all such aspects and their
equivalents
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and
not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations
denote like elements, and in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a group communication system, in accordance
with some disclosed aspects;
[0018] FIG. 2A depicts a wireless device, in accordance with some
disclosed aspects;
[0019] FIG. 2B depicts a network device, in accordance with some
disclosed aspects;
[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a lawful intercept definition administration
console, in accordance with some disclosed aspects;
[0021] FIG. 4 depicts a regional group call setup function, in
accordance with some disclosed aspects;
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a regional group call host function, in
accordance with some disclosed aspects;
[0023] FIG. 6 depicts a regional lawful intercept server, in
accordance with some disclosed aspects;
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts an aspect of a method for reporting call
information, in accordance with some disclosed aspects;
[0025] FIG. 8 depicts another aspect of a method for reporting call
information, in accordance with some disclosed aspects;
[0026] FIG. 9 depicts an aspect of a message flow exchange, in
accordance with some disclosed aspects;
[0027] FIG. 10 depicts a system for reporting call information, in
accordance with some disclosed aspects; and
[0028] FIG. 11 depicts another system for reporting call
information, in accordance with some disclosed aspects.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Various aspects are now described with reference to the
drawings. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be
evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without
these specific details.
[0030] The apparatus and methods described herein enable lawful
monitoring of targeted devices in a group call setting. When a
group call is initiated having a target as a member of the group,
the collection of call signaling and voice communications begins.
The law enforcement authority receives intercepted voice
communications and other data in or near real-time. The system
enables a law enforcement authority to determine whether or not it
wishes to receive data obtained before a target joins a call and/or
after the target leaves the call. Moreover, in addition to
signaling and data related to the actual voice communications, data
related to applications accessed on a wireless device while
participating in a group call may be intercepted and provided to
the law enforcement authority.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a group communication
system 100 configured for providing lawful intercept services. As
shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of wireless devices 102, 104, and 106
form a group capable of engaging in a group communication session.
Wireless devices 102, 104, and 106 may communicate over radio
access network 108, which is coupled to packet core network 110. To
provide lawful intercept services, group communication system 100
includes one or more regional group communications servers 120, a
core lawful intercept server 130, one or more law enforcement
authorities (LEAs) 140, and one or more lawful intercept definition
(LID) administration consoles (LACs) 150.
[0032] LACs 150 may be configured to provision lawful intercept
definitions for targets to be monitored. This may include, for
example, providing a target name, mobile telephone number, mobile
address, and/or other identifying information. In some aspects,
targets may be associated with a priority level that indicates the
importance of the target. For example, a target that is on a
national or international "most wanted" list may be assigned the
highest priority, while a local criminal may have a lower priority.
Provisioning the lawful intercept definitions for targets to be
monitored may include providing the priority level associated with
the target to a lawful intercept server. Identifying information
for targets may be provided to core lawful intercept server 130,
which may determine which regional group communication server 120
is responsible for monitoring each target. That is, a regional
group communications server 120 may serve as a monitoring
component. Each LID administrator 150 may be associated with a LEA
140 that is configured to receive lawful intercept messages and
data. In some aspects, LEA 140 may be added as a member of a group
call without knowledge of the other members of the group call. As
such, LEA 140 receives the voice content exchanged during the call
in real-time or near real-time, as well as other group call-related
information.
[0033] When a wireless device commences a group call, the call may
be intercepted by group communication server 120. The group call
setup function 122 may be configured to intercept a call in which a
target is scheduled to be or actually is a participant, or is
likely to be a participant based on call history, and to setup a
monitoring session for intercepting call data and signaling. The
intercept functionality may include, for example, adding LEA 140 as
a party to the call without knowledge of the other members of the
group call. The group call setup function 122 may also be
configured to notify the group call hosting function 124 that a
group call has been established, the group including at least one
target. Group call hosting function 124 may be configured to
determine that a target has joined the call, to collect, aggregate,
and sequence the intercepted information, and to forward the
information to regional lawful intercept server 126. Regional
lawful intercept server 126 may be configured to query LEA 140 to
determine whether the LEA wishes to receive data obtained before a
target has joined a call or after the target has left the call, and
to translate the intercepted messages into a format accessible by
the LEAs 140.
[0034] FIG. 2A depicts a wireless device, such as wireless device
102, depicted in FIG. 1. Wireless devices 104 and 106 may each
include the same or similar components. Wireless device 102 may
include a processor 202 for carrying out processing functions
associated with one or more of components and functions described
herein. Processor 202 can include a single or multiple set of
processors or multi-core processors. Moreover, processor 202 can be
implemented as an integrated processing system and/or a distributed
processing system.
[0035] Wireless device 102 further includes a memory 204, such as
for storing data used herein and/or local versions of applications
being executed by processor 202. Memory 204 can include any type of
memory usable by a computer, such as random access memory (RAM),
read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs,
volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination
thereof.
[0036] Further, wireless device 102 may include a communications
component 206 that provides for establishing and maintaining
communications with one or more parties utilizing hardware,
software, and services as described herein. Communications
component 206 may carry communications between components on
wireless device 102, as well as between wireless device 130 and
external devices, such as devices located across a communications
network and/or devices serially or locally connected to wireless
device 102. For example, communications component 206 may include
one or more buses, and may further include transmit chain
components and receive chain components associated with a
transmitter and receiver, respectively, operable for interfacing
with external devices.
[0037] Additionally, wireless device 102 may further include a data
store 208, which can be any suitable combination of hardware and/or
software, that provides for mass storage of information, databases,
and programs employed in connection with aspects described herein.
For example, data store 208 may be a data repository for
applications not currently being executed by processor 202.
[0038] Wireless device 102 may additionally include a user
interface component 210 operable to receive inputs from a user of
wireless device 102, and further operable to generate outputs for
presentation to the user. User interface component 210 may include
one or more input devices, including but not limited to a keyboard,
a number pad, a mouse, a touch-sensitive display, a navigation key,
a function key, a microphone, a voice recognition component, a
camera, and/or any other mechanism capable of receiving an input
from a user, or any combination thereof. Further, user interface
component 210 may include one or more output devices, including but
not limited to a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback mechanism, a
printer, any other mechanism capable of presenting an output to a
user, or any combination thereof.
[0039] Additionally, in some aspects, wireless device 102 may
include lawful intercept processing module 212 configured to bundle
location information, signaling, voice call data and/or any other
information subject to lawful intercept, and to provide this
information to a regional group communications server, such as
regional group communication server 120, depicted in FIG. 1.
According to some aspects, the lawful intercept processing module
212 provides location information, via signaling, when a call is
first initiated and each time the device changes location. Wireless
device 102 may further include an application monitoring module 214
configured to monitor applications accessed by a user of the device
while participating in the group call. For example, application
monitoring module 214 may monitor an email application, web
browsers, text messaging applications, and/or any other application
access by the user while on the call. When application monitoring
module 214 detects that an application has been accessed
application monitoring module 214 may access modem buffer 216 to
capture data associated with the access.
[0040] FIG. 2B depicts a network device 220. Network device 220 may
represent, for example, LAC 150, group call setup function 122,
group call host function 124, and/or lawful intercept server 126.
Network device 220 may include a processor 222, memory 224,
communications component 226, data store 228, and user interface
230. These components operate in a manner similar to the
corresponding components of wireless device 102, and further
description will not be provided. Network device 220 may also
include one or more device specific components 232 for performing
specific functions of the specific network device.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts LAC 150 in greater detail. LAC 150 may
include a device specific component 232 that includes a
communications module 302 configured to receive lawful
authorizations to perform call intercept functions. Communications
module 302 may further be configured to provide target information
to core lawful intercept server 130. Information may include, for
example, the target name, mobile phone number, target priority,
etc. Device specific component 232 may also include a target
database 304 that stores information about each target to be
monitored.
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 4, regional group call setup function
(RGCSF) 122 is shown in greater detail. RGCSF 122 may include a
device specific component 232 that includes a lawful intercept
definition processing module 402 and a call setup module 404.
Lawful intercept definition processing module 402 may be configured
to receive lawful intercept definitions from LAC 150. Using this
information, lawful intercept definition processing module 402 may
be configured to determine whether a monitoring target is a member
of a planned group call. Lawful intercept definition processing
module 402 may also be configured to determine whether a target who
is not a member of the planned group call is likely to join the
group call based on previous communication history. For example,
RGCSF 122 may maintain a historical database of previous calls and
the parties involved. Lawful intercept definition processing module
402 may be configured to determine whether a target has previously
participated in a call with one or more members of the planned
group call. In some aspects, lawful intercept definition processing
module 402 may determine whether the target has communicated with a
known associate of at least one member of the planned group. These
determinations may be used by the group call host function 124 to
determine whether to store call content. Lawful intercept
definition processing module 402 may also be configured to collect
initial signaling data associated with establishing a group call.
Call setup module 404 may be configured to setup the group call for
monitoring. This may include, for example, receiving the call
request, and adding the LEA 140 as a party to the call without the
knowledge of the members of the group call.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates regional group call host function 124 in
greater detail. A device specific component 232 including data
collection/aggregation module 502 may be provided for intercepting
data from a mobile device, such as signaling information and media,
and aggregating the intercepted data prior to providing the data to
the LEA. Data collection/aggregation module 502 may be configured
to correlate intercepted data such that signaling and the
corresponding voice components are delivered to the LEA together
and in the order of receipt. In some aspects, regional group call
host function 124 may collect data exchanged prior to the target
joining the call and/or after the target has left the call. In some
aspects, the collected data includes not only signaling and data
related to the voice communications during the group call, but also
data related to other applications accessed by the target while
participating in the group call. In some aspects, data collected
before the target has joined the call or after the target has left
call, as well as non-voice-call application data collected by
regional group call host function 124 may be delivered to regional
lawful intercept server 126, for forwarding to a LEA, upon request
from the regional lawful intercept server. In other aspects, this
data is always transmitted to regional lawful intercept server 126.
Monitored call setup module 504 may be configured to determine
whether a monitoring target has joined the call. Device specific
component 232 may also include a data delivery module 506 for
providing intercepted data to a lawful intercept server, such as
regional lawful intercept server 126.
[0044] FIG. 6 depicts regional lawful intercept server 126 in
further detail. Regional lawful intercept server 126 acts as a
gateway between the regional group communication server and one or
more LEAs. Lawful intercept server 126 may include a device
specific component 232 that includes a query processing module 602
for determining whether a LEA desires to receive information
relating to the group call that was collected by regional group
call hosting function 124 before the target joined the call and/or
after the target left the group call. Query processing module 602
may further be configured to determine if the LEA desires to
receive data related to other applications accessed by the target
while participating in the group call. Device specific component
232 may also include a delivery module 604 for delivering
intercepted information received from the regional call hosting
function 124 to a LEA. In some aspects, delivery module 604 may be
configured to request, from regional call hosting function 124,
data collected prior to a target joining the group call and/or
after the target has left the group call, as well as data related
to other applications accessed by the target while participating in
the group call, in the event the LEA has requested such information
and if regional call hosting function 124 has not previously
delivered such information to regional lawful intercept server 126.
Device specific component 232 may also include a translation module
606 for translating intercepted data into a format accessible by
LEAs. In addition, device specific component may include a storage
module 608 for storing intercepted data prior to delivering the
data to the LEA. For example, in a case wherein the LEA is unable
to receive data in real-time, the data may be buffered at lawful
intercept server 126 until such time as the data can be
delivered.
[0045] FIG. 7 depicts one aspect of an exemplary method 700 for
reporting call information in a group communication call. As
depicted at 702, a group communication call for a call group having
a plurality of member devices may be established. As depicted at
704, at least one target member device of the plurality of member
devices may be identified as corresponding to a subject to be
tracked. As depicted at 706, call content for communications
corresponding the call may be stored, starting from the beginning
of the group communication call. As depicted at 708, a
determination may be made that at least one target member device
has joined the group call. As depicted at 710, based on the at
least one target member joining the call, a query may be forwarded
to determine if a law enforcement agency desires information
relating to the group call obtained before the at least one member
device joined the group call or after the at least one target
member device leaves the call. As depicted at 712, a response to
the query may be received, and as depicted at 714, the stored
content may be managed based on the response.
[0046] FIG. 8 depicts one aspect of an exemplary method 800 for
reporting call information in a group communication call. As
depicted at 802, a group communication call for a call group having
a plurality of member devices may be established. As depicted at
804, a determination is made, based on call history, that a target
device is likely to join the group communication call, wherein the
target device is not a member of the call group. As depicted at
806, a determination is made to store call content for
communications corresponding to the group call based on determining
that the target device is likely to join the group communication
call. As depicted at 808, call content for communications
corresponding to the call may be stored, starting from the
beginning of the group communication call. As depicted at 810, a
determination may be made that at least one target member device
has joined the group call. As depicted at 812, based on the at
least one target member joining the call, a query may be forwarded
to determine if a law enforcement agency desires information
relating to the group call obtained before the at least one member
device joined the group call or after the at least one target
member device leaves the call. As depicted at 816, a response to
the query may be received, and as depicted at 816, the stored
content may be managed based on the response.
[0047] FIG. 9 depicts one aspect of an exemplary message flow
showing an exchange of messages among a first wireless device 104,
a regional group call setup function 122, a regional group call
host function 124, a second wireless device 102, a regional lawful
intercept server 126, and a law enforcement authority 140. In this
exemplary message flow, first wireless device 104 is a wireless
device that is participant in a group call, but is not a target for
monitoring; second wireless device 102 is a participant in the
group call that is a target for monitoring.
[0048] As shown at 902, a user of first mobile device 104 may issue
a PTT request to initiate a group call. While first mobile device
104, which is not a target for monitoring, initiates the call in
this example, second mobile device 102, which is a target for
monitoring, can initiate the call. The call request is routed to
regional group call setup function 122, as shown at 904. First
mobile device 104, regional group call setup function 122 may
perform call processing steps, regional call hosting function 124,
and lawful intercept server 126 may perform steps to establish the
group call. As depicted at 908, lawful intercept server 126 may
notify LEA 140 that a call request having a target as a group
member has been received and is being processed.
[0049] As depicted at 910, lawful intercept server 126 may store
call content. The content may be received from regional call
hosting function 124 and may include, for example, call signaling,
voice content, media content, etc. As depicted at 912, second
mobile device 102 may issue a PTT request. The request may be, for
example, an acknowledgment of the request transmitted by first
mobile device 104. The request may indicate a desire to join the
group call. As depicted at 914, second mobile device 102, first
mobile device 104, call setup function 122, call hosting function
124, and lawful intercept server 126 may perform steps to add
second mobile device to the group call, and LEA 140 may be notified
of the desire of second mobile device 102 to join the call, as
shown at 916.
[0050] Once the second mobile device 102 as joined the call, as
depicted at 918, the LEA 140 may be notified that a call having a
target (second mobile device 102) has been established. Lawful
intercept server 126 may then submit a query to LEA 140 to
determine whether LEA 140 desires to track non-call data, as shown
at 922, and LEA replies accordingly, as depicted at 924. As
depicted at 926, as the call progresses, call content data is
collected. As shown at 930, prior to delivering content to LEA 104,
lawful intercept server 126 may transmit a query to LEA 140 to
determine whether the LEA wishes to received content stored prior
to establishing a call with the target (second mobile device 102),
and LEA 140 replies accordingly, as depicted at 932. Lawful
intercept server 126 may then deliver call content to LEA 140 based
on the received reply. For example, if LEA 140 replies that it
wishes to receive content stored prior to establishing a call with
the target, lawful intercept server 126 would provided all stored
content. If LEA 140 has replied that it does not wish to receive
such content, only content stored after establishing the call with
the target is forwarded to LEA 140.
[0051] As depicted at 936, the target (second wireless device 102)
leaves the call. Lawful intercept server 126 may then deliver
target location information to the LEA, as shown at 938, and may
query LEA 140 to determine whether the LEA wishes to receive
content collected after the target has left the call, as shown at
940. LEA 140 replies accordingly, as shown at 942, and if the reply
indicates that LEA 104 wishes to receive content collected after
the target has left the call, such content is delivered to the LEA,
as shown at 944. As shown at 946, the call is terminated, and upon
termination of the call, all stored information related to the
group call is purged, as shown at 948.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 10, illustrated is a system 1000 for
reporting call information. For example, system 1000 can reside at
least partially within a group communications server, such as
regional group communications server 120 (FIG. 1). It is to be
appreciated that system 1000 is represented as including functional
blocks, which can be functional blocks that represent functions
implemented by a computing platform, processor, software, or
combination thereof such as firmware. System 1000 includes a
logical grouping 1002 of electrical components that can act in
conjunction. For instance, logical grouping 1002 can include an
electrical component 1004 for establishing a group communication
call for a call group having a plurality of member devices.
Moreover, logical grouping 1002 can include an electrical component
1006 for identifying at least one target member device of the
plurality of member devices as corresponding to a subject to be
tracked. Further, logical grouping 1002 can include an electrical
component 1008 for storing, starting from the beginning of the
group communication call, call content for communications to the
group call. In addition, logical grouping 1002 can include an
electrical component 1010 for determining that the at least one
target member device has joined the group call. Additionally,
logical grouping 1002 can include an electrical component 1012 for
forwarding a query to determine if a law enforcement agency desires
information relating to the group call obtained before the at least
one target member device joined the call or after the at least one
target member device leaves the group call. The logical grouping
1002 may also include an electrical component 1014 for receiving a
response to the query and managing the call content based on the
response. System 1000 can include a memory 1020 that retains
instructions for executing functions associated with electrical
components 1004-1014. While shown as being external to memory 1020,
it is to be understood that one or more of electrical components
1004-1014 can exist within memory 1020.
[0053] FIG. 11 depicts another system 1100 for reporting call
information. For example, system 1100 can reside at least partially
within a group communications server, such as regional group
communications server 120 (FIG. 1). It is to be appreciated that
system 1100 is represented as including functional blocks, which
can be functional blocks that represent functions implemented by a
computing platform, processor, software, or combination thereof
such as firmware. System 1100 includes a logical grouping 1102 of
electrical components that can act in conjunction. For instance,
logical grouping 1102 can include an electrical component 1104 for
establishing a group communication call for a call group having a
plurality of member devices. Moreover, logical grouping 1102 can
include an electrical component 1106 for determining, based on call
history, that a target device is likely to join the group
communication call, wherein the target device is not a member of
the call group. Further, logical grouping 1102 can include an
electrical component 1108 for determining to store call content for
communications corresponding to the group call, based on the
determination that the target device is likely to join the group
call, and for storing, starting from the beginning of the group
communication call, call content for communications to the group
call. In addition, logical grouping 1102 can include an electrical
component 1110 for determining that the at least one target member
device has joined the group call. Additionally, logical grouping
1102 can include an electrical component 1112 for forwarding a
query to determine if a law enforcement agency desires information
relating to the group call obtained before the at least one target
member device joined the call or after the at least one target
member device leaves the group call. The logical grouping 1102 may
also include an electrical component 1114 for receiving a response
to the query and managing the call content based on the response.
System 1100 can include a memory 1120 that retains instructions for
executing functions associated with electrical components
1104-1114. While shown as being external to memory 1120, it is to
be understood that one or more of electrical components 1104-1114
can exist within memory 1120.
[0054] As used in this application, the terms "component,"
"module," "system" and the like are intended to include a
computer-related entity, such as but not limited to hardware,
firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or
software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not
limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an
object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a
computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a
computing device and the computing device can be a component. One
or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of
execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or
distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these
components can execute from various computer readable media having
various data structures stored thereon. The components may
communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in
accordance with a signal having one or more data packets, such as
data from one component interacting with another component in a
local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as
the Internet with other systems by way of the signal.
[0055] Furthermore, various aspects are described herein in
connection with a terminal, which can be a wired terminal or a
wireless terminal. A terminal can also be called a system, device,
subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, mobile
device, remote station, remote terminal, access terminal, user
terminal, terminal, communication device, user agent, user device,
or user equipment (UE). A wireless terminal may be a cellular
telephone, a satellite phone, a cordless telephone, a Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL)
station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device
having wireless connection capability, a computing device, or other
processing devices connected to a wireless modem. Moreover, various
aspects are described herein in connection with a base station. A
base station may be utilized for communicating with wireless
terminal(s) and may also be referred to as an access point, a Node
B, or some other terminology.
[0056] Moreover, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive
"or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless specified
otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase "X employs A or B"
is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That
is, the phrase "X employs A or B" is satisfied by any of the
following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A
and B. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this
application and the appended claims should generally be construed
to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from the
context to be directed to a singular form.
[0057] The techniques described herein may be used for various
wireless communication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA,
SC-FDMA and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are
often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio
technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA),
cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other
variants of CDMA. Further, cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and
IS-856 standards. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology
such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA
system may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA
(E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE
802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are
part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long
Term Evolution (LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA, which
employs OFDMA on the downlink and SC-FDMA on the uplink. UTRA,
E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE and GSM are described in documents from an
organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP).
Additionally, cdma2000 and UMB are described in documents from an
organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2).
Further, such wireless communication systems may additionally
include peer-to-peer (e.g., mobile-to-mobile) ad hoc network
systems often using unpaired unlicensed spectrums, 802.xx wireless
LAN, BLUETOOTH and any other short- or long-range, wireless
communication techniques.
[0058] Various aspects or features will be presented in terms of
systems that may include a number of devices, components, modules,
and the like. It is to be understood and appreciated that the
various systems may include additional devices, components,
modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices,
components, modules etc. discussed in connection with the figures.
A combination of these approaches may also be used.
[0059] The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules,
and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed
herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration. Additionally, at least
one processor may comprise one or more modules operable to perform
one or more of the steps and/or actions described above.
[0060] Further, the steps and/or actions of a method or algorithm
described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be
embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a
processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may
reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory,
EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM,
or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary
storage medium may be coupled to the processor, such that the
processor can read information from, and write information to, the
storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be
integral to the processor. Further, in some aspects, the processor
and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the
ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the
processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components
in a user terminal. Additionally, in some aspects, the steps and/or
actions of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any
combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a machine
readable medium and/or computer readable medium, which may be
incorporated into a computer program product.
[0061] In one or more aspects, the functions described may be
implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination
thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or
transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a
computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both
computer storage media and communication media including any medium
that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to
another. A storage medium may be any available media that can be
accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such
computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or
other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or
store desired program code in the form of instructions or data
structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any
connection may be termed a computer-readable medium. For example,
if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote
source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as
infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic
cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as
infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of
medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD),
laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk
and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically,
while discs usually reproduce data optically with lasers.
Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope
of computer-readable media.
[0062] While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative
aspects and/or embodiments, it should be noted that various changes
and modifications could be made herein without departing from the
scope of the described aspects and/or embodiments as defined by the
appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the described
aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the
singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the
singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of
any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion
of any other aspect and/or embodiment, unless stated otherwise.
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